PAID

The voice calling her "Sister Lily" was unmistakable.

“…Mirif?”

“Ah, it really is you, Sister Lily! I was worried I might’ve mistaken you for someone else!”

That’s right—Mirif had mentioned entering the academy this year. Lilith had planned to visit her, only to keep postponing due to her busy schedule with Eris.

“It’s been a while, Mirif. Has it been almost a year?”

“Yes! It’s been about a year since you left Eremia so suddenly. You know, the Holy Knights were really disappointed they couldn’t give you a proper farewell.”

“…I’m sorry. I really had to leave in a hurry back then.”

At the time, she was carrying Ethan's child, and his pursuit was drawing dangerously close. Looking back, getting caught back then might have saved her a lot of trouble, but she’d spent quite a bit of time stubbornly evading him.@@novelbin@@

Of course, that journey allowed her to meet Mirif and change her fate, as well as to train with the Holy Knights in combat techniques. There were some bright spots in her struggles.

“Sister Lily, I think this is the first time you’ve spoken to me so formally. It actually feels… natural?”

“Really?”